Yellowstone River Spill

Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.

At approximately 11 p.m. Friday, July 1, 2011, a break occurred in
a 12-inch pipeline under the Yellowstone River 20 miles upstream from
Billings, Montana. The ruptured pipeline is owned by ExxonMobil Pipeline
Company. According to the company, an estimated 1,000 barrels of oil
entered the river before the pipeline was closed. EPA is leading the
response in close coordination with the state of Montana and other federal
agencies. EPAs primary concern is protecting peoples health
and the environment and will remain on-site to ensure cleanup and restoration
efforts do just that. EPA continues to hold ExxonMobil, the responsible
party, accountable for assessment and cleanup.

This website provides current information on the status of the response.
Check the links on the right sidebar for updates.

Notice of Filing: Administrative Order

July 7, 2011: EXXONMOBIL SILVERTIP PIPELINE
SPILL (CWA-08-2011-0020) (PDF, 6 pp, 652K). From the Order: "This
Order requires performance of removal actions in connection with a facility located
at or near the Silvertip Pipeline System Mile Posts 20.7 and 21.0 in the vicinity
of the City of Laurel, Montana."

Odors from the Yellowstone River Spill

Some people have noticed a strong odor near the area where the pipeline
ruptured and along the river and backwaters impacted by the spill. We
would expect that these odors would decrease as more of the spilled
oil is recovered. If you are smelling a "gas-station-like"
odor, you may be smelling volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. The VOCs
in oils are benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene.

It is important to understand that people are able to smell some VOCs and other
oil-related chemicals at levels much lower than would cause long-term health problems.
Some of the chemicals that cause odors may cause headaches, dizziness, nausea
or vomiting. If you are sensitive to these chemicals, stay indoors. If possible,
close windows and doors, turn your air conditioner on and set it to a recirculation
mode. If you have severe nausea or other medical issues, please see your health
care provider as soon as possible.

EPA Update

(Billings, Mont --, August 12, 2011) EPA continues to oversee the response
to the ExxonMobil Silvertip Pipeline Spill on the Yellowstone River
near Billings, Mont. EPA will take whatever steps are necessary to ensure
ExxonMobil Pipeline Company addresses any and all potential impacts
of this spill. EPA will continue to direct and oversee the cleanup and
restoration of the Yellowstone River and will continue to work to ensure
people's health and the environment are protected.

There are over 1,000 personnel engaged in cleanup and shoreline assessment
efforts. Shoreline Cleanup Assessment Technique (SCAT) teams have assessed
more than 6,500 acres. Several segments are ready for review and sign
off and are on the schedule to be inspected by SCAT teams once their
initial assessments are completed.

Right now were progressing through the work plan, and SCAT
teams have made a lot of progress, said Craig Myers, EPA On-Scene
Coordinator. At this point things appear to be happening on schedule.

EPA sampling results for air, water, soil, and sediment data are still
available on the EPA spill website. The data shows there are no levels
of concern in the water and no elevated levels above instrument detection
for volatile organic compounds. EPA site-specific soil sampling result
letters went out to 40 landowners affected by the Yellowstone River
oil spill. Results and a fact sheet on the crude oil samples and an
Agricultural Fact Sheet are available at the EPA website as well.

BACKGROUND: At approximately 11 p.m. on Friday, July 1 a break occurred in a 12-inch pipeline owned by ExxonMobil that resulted in a spill of crude oil into the Yellowstone River approximately 20 miles upstream of Billings, Montana. EPA's primary concern is protecting people's health and the environment. EPA will remain on-site to ensure cleanup and restoration efforts do just that. EPA continues to hold ExxonMobil, the responsible party, accountable for assessment and cleanup.